MARDI GRAS MYSTERY was published in the September 1, 1935 issue of TheShadow Magazine. From the colorful, exciting, traditional festivities ofthe Mardi Gras arises a baffling mystery for The Shadow to solve.

It's a fun Shadow mystery, but it suffers from some plotting issues. Iliked the locations and the puzzling mystery. But when all is explained,I found the explanation to be unlikely, in the extreme. Gangsters havegone to strange and convoluted lengths to accomplish something thatcould have been done so much easier in a straightforward manner. But, ofcourse, then we would have had no story... or at least a muchabbreviated one. So the end result is that I felt a bit cheated by thestory. It was a fun ride, but in the end I was let down.

Our story opens during Mardi Gras as a young man costumed as a Frenchcolonial gentleman stolls along the Rue Royale. Beneath the mask, theyoung man is Andrew Blouchet, last of an old Louisiana family. YoungAndrew lives on a small inheritance, but finds it harder and harder tomake ends meet. But all that is about to change. And change in a mostmysterious way!

As he passes Gallion's restaurant, Blouchet encounters another maskedreveler. She wears a short-skirted ballet dress. He doesn't know who sheis, but is drawn by her magnetic beauty. She comes up to him holding aflat, black box that glistens with polish. The corners and hinges are ofsilver. She hands him the box, telling him, "Here is the box. Keep ithidden until you are alone."

Young Blouchet is understandably confused. He denies any knowledge ofthe box or its ownership, but the young lady insists. She hands him asmall silver key, oddly shaped and curious in design. She tells him hewill understand all when he opens the box. But the box must be openedsecretly in private. Before he can object further, she mingles with theMardi Gras crowd and disappears.

His interest piqued, Andrew Blouchet slides the mystery box beneath hiscloak and makes his way back to his studio in the quaint French Quarter.There he opens the box and finds to his surprise that it contains onehundred thousand dollars in various demonination bills. And that is all.There is no note of explanation. Only the strange stack of bank notes.Fifties. One hundreds. Five hundreds! And even one thousand dollar bills!

He confides in his wealthy friend Carl Randon. Randon, another native ofNew Orleans, advises him to spend the money. There is no link to theowner of the box. And since it was given to Blouchet, it certainly ishis to now spend. But young Blouchet isn't so sure. And it's a goodthing, too, because before he knows it, his apartment is raided by agang of cutthroats seeking the money. He fights them off, only to findthat the money as disappeared. It has been taken... by The Shadow!

Yes, The Shadow is in New Orleans, and enters this strange case. He isassisted by his long-time agent Harry Vincent. Harry was previously sentto New Orleans to locate Pierre Trebelon who had recently left New York.Trebelon was an international swindler who had left for Louisiana, withHarry following at The Shadow's order. Now The Shadow has entered NewOrleans to see what connection there might be between the swindlerTrebelon and the money given to Andrew Blouchet.

The money seems to be the key. Who is it from? What is it for? Why wasyoung Blouchet chosen to receive it? What will he do with it? Is themoney counterfeit? Is it legal tender? Is it blackmail money? Bloodmoney? And who was the mystery woman who handed young Andrew the strangebox of money? What part does she play? Will Andrew find her? Is hefalling in love? Is she part of the sinister plot? Is this a fatalattraction? Or will their budding love blossom beneath the evil spell ofthe mystery cash? Young Andrew Blouchet is quickly drawn into a strangeweb of intrigue, excitement, and murder; one from which only The Shadowcan extricate him!

The Shadow and Harry Vincent work alone in this story. No other agentsappear or are mentioned. The side of the law is represented byLieutenant Wayson of the New Orleans police force. Wayson is a policeinstructor and small-arms expert who worked with The Shadow in aprevious adventure, "Cyro" published in December 15, 1934. These are theonly two appearances Wayson ever made in the magazine stories.

The Shadow appears in several disguises in this story. His oft-useddisguise as Lamont Cranston serves him well on several occasions. But healso appears as an artist, Monsieur Duvale, and as Justin Oswood, abig-time New York theatrical producer. And also Pierre Treblon, a gangmember who looks to better himself. And of course he appears in his mostfamous garb of black: the cloak, slouch hat and gloves.

One note of interest, we are told that Harry Vincent is an opera buff.It's just a casual remark, but one that was new to me. I'd never beforeheard that opera was one of his diversions. And so we learn a little bitmore about The Shadow's number-one agent!

There is color and romance in this adventure mystery; there danger andcrime. Crime is pending in New Orleans, betrayed only through surfaceindications which The Shadow alone had detected. Only the superhand ofThe Shadow can bring it to a smashing finish. So read the story, but beaware that the ending will undoubtedly leave you a bit disappointed andunfulfilled.

John

--"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"The wonderful old pulp mystery stories are all reviewed at:

extreme. Gangsters have gone to strange and convoluted lengths toaccomplish something that could have been done so much easier in astraightforward manner. But, of course, then we would have had nostory... or at least a much abbreviated one.

extreme. Gangsters have gone to strange and convoluted lengths toaccomplish something that could have been done so much easier in astraightforward manner. But, of course, then we would have had nostory... or at least a much abbreviated one.

This seems to describe a *lot* of the Shadow stories!

That seems to describe a lot of pulp stories in general! Doc Savage andthe Spider come to mind. Ah, but that's why we love pulp...

John

--"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"The wonderful old pulp mystery stories are all reviewed at: